Chai means tea, it’s pronounced tchai and rhymes with pie. I recently found a kosher certified brand which I tried.

Good to last drop and... it's not coffee!!!

What is chai? It’s an aromatic spiced tea that originated in India, where chatwallahs (chai vendors) tend street stalls selling masala chai (spiced tea). For a long time these have been popular gathering places. Chai is a blend of whole leaf tea and spices, served with milk. The spices typically consist of cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg and pepper, in this particular case it also includes vanilla and honey, all organic.

In the morning I had a hot cup of it and a short while ago I had it cold. I liked it both ways! This particular brand comes in liquid form -which you prepare by pouring a cup until half full and fill the rest with milk – or you can get it in packets of powder where all you add is water, unless you prefer it a bit creamier in which case you can also add a bit of milk.

Originally served almost exclusively in Indian restaurants, it is becoming an increasingly popular item in coffee shops or dairy restaurants. It can be found in many forms these days, from chai ices to chai chocolate, from non-fat low-cal sweeteners to decaf and more. Frankly, there is something to suit every preference.

As for the mug, it says: “Genuine Antique Person – 100% Vintage Parts;” one of my granddaughter’s brought it, she said that as soon as she saw it she immediately thought of me… I’m not quite sure how to take it…